Sinead O'Connor was No 1 and Thatcher was still in power the last time Spurs won at Chelsea... can Sherwood break the hoodoo?

CHELSEA 1 TOTTENHAM 2, FEBRUARY 10 1990

On February 10, 1990, Tottenham beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. David Howells opened the scoring before John Bumstead equalised for the Blues. But Gary Lineker bagged the winner with a neat header late on.

The year was 1990, Gary Lineker was scoring goals, Paul Gascoigne was throwing punches and Spurs were winning at Chelsea on their way to a third-place finish.

In the 24 years since, however, the north Londoners have failed to repeat that victorious feat at the home of their capital adversaries.

On Saturday, they again venture across the city bidding to end their Stamford Bridge hoodoo.

If Tim Sherwood and his side harbour serious Champions League aspirations, then what better venue to champion their cause?

Their winless run in SW6 is the
longest in the top flight at the home of a derby opponent, a 23-match
stretch including 14 defeats.

VIDEO: Scroll down to watch Gary Lineker score his winner in 1990

Victorious: Steve Sedgley (left), Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker (right) were part of the last Tottenham side to beat Chelsea away from home

Remember this? Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares 2 U was top of the charts in February 1990

Smash hit: Steven Seagal and Kelly LeBrock starred in Hard to Kill, which was released in 1990

THE LAST TIME SPURS WON AT STAMFORD BRIDGE...

Top of the charts was Sinead O'Connor with Nothing Compares 2U.

Margaret Thatcher was in power at No 10 Downing Street and George Bush at the White House.

The day after Spurs won at Stamford Bridge, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years behind bars.

The first McDonald's had just opened in Russia.

A pint of beer was - on average - £1.06.

Hard to Kill, starring Steven Seagal and Kelly LeBrock, was top of the US Box Office

Back in 1990 it was Lineker’s late goal which nicked victory, while Gascoigne – in front of watching England boss Bobby Robson – had earlier lashed out at John Bumstead having been taunted throughout by the home crowd.

How they could do with a pair of that calibre today in their quest for a return to the top four.

It is a far stiffer task than it was all those years ago, however, the likes of Bumstead having been replaced by Oscar, Micky Hazard by Eden Hazard and David Lee by David Luiz.

For Spurs, the onus will fall on the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Andros Townsend to unpick a Chelsea side which is unbeaten on home soil this season.

It is a test, too, of Sherwood’s tactical nous. In January, against Manchester City, his system was exposed and a sore 5-1 defeat was inflicted.

Victories over Everton and Newcastle – the latter a resounding 4-0 away success – steadied the ship somewhat, but a loss at Norwich City undermined what progress had apparently been made.

It leaves Spurs four points adrift of fourth-placed City with the somewhat disturbing prospect of another Europa League campaign on the horizon.

Still in charge: Back then, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher were still head of state in USA and England

Up for it: Emmanuel Adebayor will be desperate to snatch a goal against Chelsea

Will they do it? Jose Mourinho's Chelsea will be tough opposition once again for Tim Sherwood's Tottenham

Old rivals: Tim Sherwood played his fair share of matches against Chelsea

Get in: Sherwood celebrates after scoring in the Worthington Cup 5-1 win in January 2002

Saturday, then, will go a long way to determining their top-four credentials.

Midfielder Christian Eriksen agrees. ‘We have always believed in making the Champions League and this Chelsea game is a chance to show we are serious contenders and still in the race,’ he said.‘If we are going to get into the top four, we have to win these games.